Gyroscopic controller



Sept. 30, 1947.

E. P. TURNER GYRoscoPIc CONTROLLER Filed sept. 5, 1944 .s sheets-sheet -2 l @Lem ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheetl 3 E'. P. TURNER l GYROSCOPIC CONTROLLER Filed Sept. 5, 1944 Sept. 30, 1947.

lNvEN'roR (dgar .Z3 urner vBY ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 302 1947 GYROSCOPIC CONTROLLER Edgar E. rBurner, Fanwood,.N. .Lassigncr to The Singer Manufacturing Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey' Application September 5, 194,4; SerialNmsZgZ-Llo.

29 Claims. (Cl. 'Z4- 5) invention relates to gyroscopic controllers of the kind particularly useful for the automatic ilight control of airplanes, or in other situations. Where analogous conditions obtain, and function.- ing to respond to and automatically offset depar-` tures from apredetermined course. For convenience, in that it will serve to bring out the various features of the invention as capable of combined.

vide an instrument ci the above character which is less susceptible to derangement than heretofore andwhich is capable ofV eiiicient operation over a wide range of operating conditions.` A further t object ofthe invention is the eliminationv oi` the.

need for the high-precision manufacture required of certainelements of suchinstruments as heretoforeconstructed, but without loss offeiiciency or accuracy of response. Still further objects of the invention are to provide an improved type of. take- 01T from the gyro tothe elements controlled thereby,y and also a controller adapted to be incorporated' in a single, over-all housing itself pivotally mounted for cooperation with the functioning of the controls within it.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention, from which the several features of the invention and the advantages attained thereby will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In the drawings, which are largely diagrammatic:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side View illustrating the general. application of this preferred form of the invention to an airplane, shown in dotted outline;

Fig. 2v is a horizontal section, on the line II-II of Fig. 3., of the instrument proper;

Fig. 3V is a partially broken-out and sectione side elevation of the. instrument;

View of the instrument; and

Fig, oisy asection on the. line.V. Yfof`Fig, 2...

In the. drawings, thegyroscone, itself., .including its` gimbal mounting` andassociatednarts, are ons closed within, a. housing. Lthe. gyro functioning. to actuate the controls ofj the. airplane through appropriate power.` transmission means. Such as therelectrical .circuits shown forv example. in. Eis- 1".Y As there. appears, switch boxes 2' and. vl5 are mounted respectively onthe irontandrear Walls of the housing t; switch bom being associated. with the. elevator. controls andlswitch box 6i with the aileron controls.

Switch box,` 2L incorporates. a mfwalol` contact member 5a which oats between stationary contactsa and' 60:'. all. three contactsbeing. connected; by circuit leads to. a relay 3" in turnV is oonnectedbr leadsll, 4E, 4.1i to a. reversible control motor 42.- .The motor 4" operates, through Crank, 48 and' link. `4153; secured to cable la, to raise or lower the elevator 5f depending upon the direction or the. rotation of.n the motor, Engagement of` they contact of member 58- with Contact. 5S; results ,in operation. of. the motor lin one direction and'engaeement; of the contactv of'member 58 with Contact. GII' results in .operation ofthe motor. fr in the opposite direction; When the contactmem ber. 5,8. is out. of engagement with. both' contaots '55 and 6.o; the motor ili is stationary.

Switch box 6 incorporates anA identicallyv arranged and functioning organization, including floating contact memberv 61", stationary contacts 68 and 6.9; associated' relay: 'L and control motor 8 acting through the cable I1" to raise or lower aileron ll` in. response tothe closure of the relay circuit bythe engagement'of the contact member li'iE with contact 6.85 or 69:A It willL be understoodthat the opposite winger theairplane carrfi'es a reversely operating aileron controlled through the same relay 1'; f

The describedl switches are similarlyzcontrolledand preferably each by a spring-loadedAi da phragm, i'. e. a dilatphragrnv resisting movement away from a position of rest eitherby reason of its own resiliency or byreason of? applied spring pressure. Referring toliiigt 2; suchadiaphragm 56 is shownassociated. withv switch box 2; thesdia.- phragmsupporting a centrally located;V thrust member-5l which abutsthe contact member 5B; In this instancey the: contact' member 58. can. be assumed-to be-ofresilient materiali acting through thrust member 5l toloadA the diaphragm 561, the contact member biasing the diaphragm. toward the left* as viewedin Fig; 2 and having such a .Set as 13o-causetheecont-actl ormemberv 58' to engage contact 59 when the diaphragm is not subs 3 jected to other controlling forces. Whether such engagement eiects the closure of the circuit to raise or to lower the elevator is of no consequence because, as presently described, when the plane is in normal flight, i. e. not calling on the gyro control for any night correction, the diaphragm occupies the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the contact member58 floats substantially mid-way between contacts 59 and 60.

,As also shown in Fig. 2, the diaphragm 56 constitutes a partition between a chamber 55 having a port 54, and a chamber 93 which communicates through the duct 9| with the interior of the housing I.

Switch box 6 is similarly arranged, embodying corresponding elements comprising thrust member 10, diaphragm B6, chambers I8 and 65, port I9 and duct 92 connecting chamber I8 with the interior of the housing I.

It will be understood from the foregoing that4 the functionof the gyroscope in this preferred form is to effect the control of the positions of both of the diaphragms 56 and 66, and thereby, through the described circuits, the necessary adjustments of the elevator and ailerons.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the gyroscope includes a rotor generally designated 42 and, as diagrammatically illustrated, having a toothed or bladed section 33 by which the rotor is driven by means of suitable air jets impinging thereon. In this described application of the invention the .gyro is erected with its axis vertical, as well understood, the rotor being mounted for rotation in what constitutes an inner` gimbal ring but preferably taking the form of a housing 16. This inner gimbal ring or housing 16 is pivotally mounted for rotation about a. horizontal axis, as at 11 and 'I8 (Fig. 2) in an outer gimbal ring 19, the latter being pivotally mounted in the housing. I, as at 94, 95, for rotation about a horizontal axis normal to the pivot axis of the inner gimbal ring or housing 16. The bearing 94 is supported in the hub portion 89 of a nut member 21 threaded into the annular boss 26 of the housing I and the bearing ,95 includes a pivot shaft 90 threaded into the end Wall of housing I `and having a bore 43 aligned with the port 54.

4 In this preferred form, and without regard to whether adapted for a singleor a two-axis instrument, the housing I is itself pivotally mounted for rotary movement about a transverse, normally-horizontal axis, as by means of trunnions 22, 99 vand standards 20, 2l (Fig. 4).

As stated above, thegyro rotor is air-driven and to this end the entire housing I is adapted to be evacuated by a suitable pump (as diagrammatically indicated at 96 in Fig. 4) coupled at Z3 tothe foot of standard 2| andthrough the standard and hollow trunnion 22, to the interior of housing I. The suction thus lapplied to the housing I is applied to the interior of the inner gimbal ring or housingr 16 through port 4I (Fig. 2) thereby inducing rotor-impelling jets through nozzle openings 40. Air isadmitted to the latter through appropriate passages and, ducts or hollow sections of the gimbalrings.A ,As shown in Fig. 2, air is thus admitted from the exterior Vof the housing I throughport 24, vchamber 25, passages 28 to chamber Y91, thence to and throughthe hollow section29 of the outer gimbal ring 1,9.,tothe hollow sectionr30 of theinner gimbal ring 16 to nozzle -openings'49. l y

The ,described evacuation ofY the housingV I is also applied to induce velocity air jets arranged 4 and 66 under the control of suitable baiiles, provision being made whereby the position of each jet relative to its baille (and hence the action of the jets in operating the diaphragms) is determined by such relative movements between the gyro and its supports as result from the airplane motions to be corrected.

As regards the operation of diaphragm 56 (and thereby the operation of the described elevator controls) the hollow section 29 of the outer gimbal ring 19 (Fig. 2) is connected by duct 3l to a velocity nozzle 32 through which a jet is induced by the suction applied to housing I. As shown, the nozzle 32 is aligned with the pivot axis of the outer gimbal ring 19 and accordingly with bore 43 and port 54. With its lower end .positioned to more or less intercept the jet issuing from nozzle 32 is a baille 52 secured, as by nuts 5I, to the post 50 upstanding from the top of the inner gimbal ring or housing 16. At its said lower end (see Fig. 4) the baille 52 is shaped to provide a baiiie edge 53, the angle of the edge being appropriate to completely obstruct or cornpletely avoid the jet issuing from nozzle 32 in response to predetermined relative movement between the jet and baille. As will be understood, a minimum relative movement is required if the baille edge is normal to the line of such relative movement, Preferably the edge 53 of the baille 52 and the edge 63 of the baille 62 are inclined to the lines of movement of the baffles, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, thereby to prevent the instrument being over sensitive. It will be observed that the discharge end of nozzle 32 is spaced from the baffle and the latter, in turn, from the bore 43 of pivot shaft and it will be recognized that there is nothing critical about these spacings in the sense of requiring any such precision manufacture as would be entailed were these elements required to effect anything in the nature of a seal to vary the action of the diaphragm controlling air ow.

The primary functioning of the gyro to actuate the elevator controls will now be apparent. When the nose of the airplane heads upward or downward from any predetermined course, the entire instrument, excepting only the gyro itself, partakes of a similar tilting movement; and, the axis of the rotating gyro maintaining its vertical position, relative movement takes place between the jet issuing from nozzle 32 and the baiile 52. As the baille edge 53 more 0r less obstructs the nozzle opening 32 (depending upon the direction of the said relative movement) the diierential in pressure in the chambers 55 and 93 is varied and the diaphragm 56 responds, and, through adjusted in a direction to offset or correct the departure from course which initiated the described sequence of operations.

It will be noted that both sides of the diaphragm 56, i. e. chambers 55 and 93, are subject to the suction pressure .within the housing I, chamber 55 being connected therewith through port 54 and bore 43, and chamber 93 being connected lwith the housing by duct 9I. Consequently, the velocity jet issuing from nozzle 32 is alone responsible for the actuation of diaphragm 56. vIn the result, while quite sensitive to relative movements of the jet and baille calling for elevator adjustment, the control is at the same time quite stable so far as minor pressure uctuations in housing I are concerned.

Once the elevator adjustment has been started, as4 above described, it would of course continuer aslongas the motorV 4 continued to run; which, in turn,l means as long as the diaphragm Sli-.maintaineda closed circuit through switch box 2. As; thus farV described, this latter condition would continue until the original course of theairplane; had been restored t the point of restoring the jet. and bailie to their original relative position.v Even at that point, though the control circuit, were broken and the motor 4 stopped, the eleva.- tor would be. iny av very substantially adjusted or course-changing position, and wouldV obviously remain in that position until the jet-baffle; positions were so changed as to initiate another cy-v cle of operation to the end of adjustingthe ele-.-y vator in the opposite direction, and so on. Such a mode of operation, commonly characterized as hunting is highly objectionable in that it" impartsV a quite. pronounced undulating motionto theairplane; and accordingly means are provided tominimize it.

Referring to Fig. 2., a pulley 86 is secured to the outerv end of the trunnion 99 and about the pulley isv trained a cable' I4, so that movement of the cable will rotate the pulley and rock the housing: l about its. pivot axis. As shown in Fig, 1, one end: of cable I4 is spring-sustained, as at` 15.; and, trained over sundry guide pulleys throughoutz its. length, the cable is secured at its other end to cable i5, as at 98.

By reason of this construction, the operation of; motor 4` to adjust the elevator 5, coincidently adjusts cable I 4- and rocks housing I about its pivotV axis, thereby causing nozzle 32 to move relatively tov bailie 52. The connections are such that this relative movement is in a direction to restore-theA nozzle and baiile to the relative positionzthey occupied prior to the starting of motor. 41; and the result is to bring about the opening of the control circuit at switch Ibox 2, thereby. stopping. the motor 4 and arresting adjustment oct'elevator 5, without waiting for those operations to bei performed by the over-correction method above described. The pivotal mounting of the housing I and the. described arrangements for.` rotatingit thus comprise follow-up means acting to cause the nozzle to. follow the baffle and terminate. promptly the switch-closing action of the jetv on the diaphragm. In the result, the described effects of hunting are reduced to a quite unobjectionable minimum.

V.The course required to be held by the elevator 5,- and from which departures are to be corrected by the controller, may be a horizontal one or a climb or glide course, and accordingly means may be provided for setting the initial relative position:y oi. the jetv and nozzle appropriate to such course, i'. e. the relative position, regardless of thenature or the course, in which the jet maintains the'diaphragm 56 in the circuit-opening position of Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 1, the cable I4 is trained over pulleys TI; 'I2 and 73, the latter being carried on the end of 'a crank arm 14 operated by amotor I3;y The motor may be controlled as through a relay I0 the circuit of which can be manually opened or closed. The effect of the operation ci?l motor I3, in raising or lowering pulley 13, is tofl'engthen or shorten the follow-up cable I4 and rotate thehousing I about its pivot axis, thereby prompting the controller to eiect an adjustmentk oftheelevator corresponding to that which would result. from an upward or downward departure from course by the airplane.

Thus, it it isv desired to set the elevator cna. climbf course, motor I3 is operated to raise pulley '[1315 and lengthen cable I4, whereupon the4 forward;I endofrhousinig I will be. tilted downwardly.. TheI resulting relative movement between the'gim'bal rings being thesame as that which occursy when' the'plane. itselfinoses downwardly, the. controller responds asrif4 tooifset it, i. e.. adjusts theelevator tothe requiredclimb setting. Thereafter,` of? course,4 the controller responds. asf hereinabove: described.. to maintain the climb course so estab-- lished.v By operating: motor I3 to shortencable Ulf' the elevator.- isvadjusted to a. glide or dive'set-fting,.asfwil1 be understood.

Aswflllxbeapparent, the automatic controlofi the elevator. functionsand is capable of use quitey independently. of: the aileron control. Reverting. now to; the lattenit;v may be stated that means.'- mayV be; provided corresponding to. the jetf and baille control utilized forcontroll-ingthe` elevator.; In this instance, the jet' issues from a nozzle carriedby the` housing. and. the corresponding bale is.carried-byl the outer.` gimbal: ring. How-'- ever; the invention permits of. both of thezfnozm.z zles: and both of the. baffles being. mounted. wholly.' within .the housing I,.,with the diap-hragmr-actuat: ingjets both activated by the evacuation ofthe,l housing:

Referring to Eig. 2E; itzwillbe seen that: the outer periphery: of {annul'ar bosscZ is provided with two grooves'il, 3.5;;.and on the boss is. j'ournaled the: hub of a gear 36. Projecting from the.; lowery face: of: gear. 3E. (Figs. 2 andt5). is' a boss I6 iincorporating a duc/1144 which communicates with groovezandthence-through duct 6.4' with port?. r9: The-boss; I6; alsoincorporat'es a velocityjet nozzle. 3`8ialignedxw-ith duct 44T'and communicat-= ing;v throughgroove 34 andduct: 3l with chamber!4 Sli Itwill beirecognized that the evacuationY off housing I induces:` ai. velocity: flow through.. nozzle 38` and its aligned ductl 44'. to control dia:- phragms 66,?. and also to evacuate. chamber I8? through duct: 92;. just as. described above with reference: tothe. actuation of" diaphragm` 5E; AV channel 3.9i in boss. IBY accommodates .a baillev 52 of: cup. form and secured to outer. gimbal ring:l 19: The rimsoii, the cupis appropriately out awayv asatJ-:I` (Fi-g;v 3;) to provide a baliie edge which morepr less: obstructs the jet. flowffthrougl'ifnoz; zle4 38 Ain response. toifrelative `movement between the: outengimbal ring. 'I9f and the housing I'.

Such relative movementresults, of course, from: rockingvor;rollingfmovemen-t'of the airplane aboutitsline otght; and the'bal'e-controlled'jet in this instance', acting. through diaphragm Strand its associated circuits: bringsl about'. oif-settingfor' course-correcting'. adjustments of. the. ailerons in just..the.samefmanner as aboveset forthwith reference tothe.- operation'of thev elevator. A

Over-correction isi. likewise similarly.' mini-Q mized. Inthis instance a follow-up.cable. lf2-isf provided', secured".y toV aileron cable. ITIi andi-etui:-1 respondingf-.to-.ca-bleV mi of the elevatorcontrol.` Cable: I2; is.: similarly trainedY over suitable guide pulleys. and'` around apulley 84 mounted onthe` outer end oislfraft S65-which is j'ournaled in` the` housing Iy andcarries. a pinion 9u. meshing with# gear 36. Thus rotation of pulley 84, acting through pinion 901',- rotates--y gear 36, varying with itv nozzle 38; Avtake-upvsp-nng 81 (corresponding in function yto spring T5) is-r shown enclosed'with; in=pul.ley!4,-one-end of the springbeing'anchoredf' tothe pulley and the otherV end to the hou-singA I; as by pin". By the described' nec-3ans;thel adjustment of" the aileron'- .1P byA` motorv 8i coin-`v leys 80, 8l and V82, the latter mounted on the v end of the crank arm 83 of a motor Il controlled by relay l. lAs will be recognized, the purpose and functioning of these parts corresponds precisely to that described abovewith reference to the control of the elevator by relay |53, motor i3, crank 'M and pulleys ll, l2, 13, viz. to provide manually controllable means :for adjusting the ailerons to any particular setting from which departures are to be corrected by the instrument.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is:

1, In a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mounted in an outer, pivoted gimbal ring, the combination of a fluid-discharge nozzle carried by the outer gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially with the pivot axis of such outer ring, a baflle mounted on. the inner gimbal ring and located to more or less intercept the discharge from said nozzle in response to relative movement of the gimbal rings, andV control means responsive to the resulting varying nozzle discharge.

2. In a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mounted in an outer, pivoted gimbal ring, the combination of a nozzle carried .by the outer gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially with the pivot axis of such outer ring, means to induce a jet of air through said nozzle, a baflie mounted on the innergimbal ring and located to more or less intercept the air flow through said nozzle in response to relative movement of the gimbal rings, and control means responsive to the resulting varying air flow. 3. InV a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mounted in an outer, pivoted gimbal' ring, the combination of a nozzle carried by the outer gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially with the pivot axis of such outer ring, suction means to induce a jet of air through'said nozzle, a baffle mounted on'the inner gimbal ring and located to more or less intercept the air flow through said nozzle in response to relative movement of the gimbal rings, and control means responsive to the resulting varying air ow.

4. In a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner gimba1 ring itself pivotally mounted in an` outer, pivoted gimbal ring, the combination of `a nozzle carried by the outer'gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially with the pivot axis of such outer ring, means to induce a jet of air through saidnozzle,

- a control member operated by said air jet, and a baille Amounted on the inner gimbalring and 1ocated to moreor less intercept the said air jet in response to relative movement of the gimbalY rings. i

5, Inawgyroscopic.- controller ,having a gyro rotor mounted torotate in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mounted in an outer, pivoted gimbal ring, the'combination of a nozzle carried by;

theouter gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially with the pivot axis of ,such outer ring, suction means to induce a jet Qf air through said 8. nozzle, a baffle mounted on Vthe inner gimbal ring and located to more or less intercept the air ow through' said nozzle in response to relative lmovement of the gimbal rings, and control means responsive to the resulting varying air flow, said jet-inducingV means including a main housing enclosing the said gyro, gimbals, nozzle and baiile, said .housing having an air inlet port, ducts to conduct air therefrom to said nozzle, an outlet port from the housing and a suction pump connected to said outlet port. i

V6. The combination vof claim 5 'in which the innergimbal ring includes a housing section enclosing the rotor, rotor-impellng nozzles, connections thereto from the main housing inlet port, and an outlet into the main housing from the gimbal ring housing section.

"Il In a gyroscopic controller, the combination of an'outer gimbal ring, a pivot shaft therefor having an axially arranged bore therethrough, a velocity jet nozzle carried by such gimbal ring in a position to discharge coaxially with and into the said bore, means for inducing a uid ow through the nozzle, control means responsive to the jet dow through said bore, and means to vary the said flow.

8. Ina gyroscopic controller, the combination of an outer gimbal ring, a pivot shaft therefor havingan axially arranged bore therethrough, a velocity jet nozzle carried by such gimbal ring in a position to discharge coaxially with and into theV said bore, means for inducing a fluid oW through the nozzle, control means responsive to the :jet iiow lthrough said bore, and an inner gimbal ring having a baffle positioned to more or less intercept the said flow in response to relative movement of the gimbal rings.

- 9. In a gyroscopic controller including a housing, an outer gimbal ring Ypivotally mounted therein,` and a gyro rotor mounted for rotation in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mounted inthe outer gimbal ring, the combination of pivot means supporting said housing for rotation about an axis normal to the pivot axis of the outer gimbal ring, control-actuating jet means carried by the outer gimbal ring and dischargingcoaxially with the pivot axis of said outer ring a baille carried by the inner ring and positioned to more or less intercept the discharge 1 from said jet means in response to relative movement between the gimbal rings, and means for rotating the housing on its pivot means to vary. the position of the jet means relative to the baffle. l0.` VIn a gyroscopic controller including a housing, an outer gimbal ring pivotally mounted therein, and a gyro rotor mounted for rotation in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mounted in the outer gimbal ring, the combination of pivot means supporting said housing for rotation about an axis normal to the pivot axis of the outer gimbal ring, control-actuating jet means carried by the outer gimbal ring and discharging coaxially with the pivot axis of such ring, means for eyacuating the said housing and coincidently inducing a `velocity air flow through said jet means, a baffle carried by the inner ring and positioned to more or less intercept the discharge fromgsaid jet means in response to relative movement between the gimbal rings, and means for rotating the housing on its pivot means to vary the position of the jet means relative to the baiiie.

1l, in agyroscopic controller including a housing, an outer gimbal ring pivotally mounted therein, and a gyro rotor mountedpfor rotationn an innergim-bal ring itself nivotallyzmounted --relative to the baille, -and control means responsive =to the fiiowthroughfthe `said shaft bore.

12. "ina -gyroscopicfcontroller including a housing, :an Vouter Agimbal ring f-pivotall-.y mounted therein, :and a -gyro rotor mounted for rotation vin an inner igimba'l :ringlitself Apivotally mounted "in the outer ginlbal ring, :the combination .of

pivot-means supporting .said hou-sing for rotation about -an axis normal tothe pivot axis of the outergimbal ring, a'\hollow shaft comprising one of the pivots for the outer `gimbal ring, 1a nozzle 4carried bysaid outer ring and `positioned-to Idischarge toward the hollow shaft lbore, suction "means ifor evacuating the 'housing and coincidentlyinducing a velocity l-air iet loWlthrough-said `nozzle, a baffle car-riedloy the inner gimbal ring `and movable therewith-to more or less intercept the said airflow, Ymeans for rotating the housing on its pivot-means -to vary the position of Vthenozzle relative .to the"ballle,.and.control means responsive to the V.ow lthrough the said yshaft bore.

13. In -agyroscopic controller-of the character described, the improvement which comprises a :pair-.lof pivoted gi-mbalfri-ngsfone ofsaid rings incorporating ia nozzle movable therewith and arranged `to'discharge coaxially with the `pivot axis of such ring, fand `the other of lsaid rings incor- `joorating a "baille :movable therewith transversely ofthe discharge axis of the nozzle.

14. 'In combi-nation vwith -a housing yhaving ya -gimbal-mounted gyrosoopic rotor supported therein with the outer girribal ri-ngpivotallly mounted with respect to the housing, means "for inducing an air flow through the housing, including an airinletport tothe lhousing and Imeans for -withdrawing air from the housing, two velocity jet .nozzles having duct means thereto to lsupply the nozzles by said airflow, and a baille located in controlling relation "to the discharge from each nozzle, -oneof said nozzles and its baille vbeing arranged for relative, -:iet-controlling movement fin response lto relative movement between `the housing and outer gimbal ring, andthe other nozzle and its bafllearranged for relative, jetvcontrolling movement in response to relative movementbetween the'outer and inner rings ,of `the said gimbal mounting.

15. In `cornltiination with a housing having a gimbal-mounted gyroscopic rotor Supported therein with the outer gimbal ,ring vnivotally mounted-With respectr to the `housing, `means for inducing an airflow through-the housing, including an air inlet jportg-to the housing and means lfor with'dra-winggair from the housing,.a velocity jet nozzle supported on the outer ,gim'bal ring, duct vmeans arrangedto supp'lythe said ,nozzles Vby said air ilow, baffle meanslocatedin controlling relation to the discharge fromneachnozzle, vone of said :baille means being supported v.on the wie? .'eimibal ring and `the ,other baille .means f1.0 supported.:onthe'inner-ringl ojf :the gimbalnmounning.

:16. The-.combination `of claim 15 in which the :said-thousingxi-s itself pivotally mounted for rotationabout ran axis normal :to :the .pivot .axis of :one ,of athegimbial rings, and inwhichemeans is .provided Kforrotating said housing to veffect relative movement between ,one vof said nozzles and its baille.

17. nanapparatus ofthe .character described, the Ycombination `of .a :nivo-tally mounted housing, an iouter gimbal ring ".pivotally mounted within the housing, .an inner, rotor-supporting gimbal ring I.pivotally :mounted within the outer gimbal ring, a Velocity jet nozzle :supported Von the housingandabafile `Vrnountednn the .outer ring in controlling :relation to the .discharge from such nozzle, a second velocity jzet nozzlev supported on'the `outer ring :anda baille lmounted on the inner ring in controllingrelation to `the ,discharge from such second nozzle, 4*manually .controllable means for rotating the housing about its pivot :axis :to effect relative .adjustment between one yof .said nozzles and its baille, .and manually ycontrollable means :forimoving the -other nozzleto feiect relativefadrl'ustment. thereof with respect-.to its baille.

f1=8. :Ln an apparatus. of the-,character described, 'the gcombinationof fa ipivotally :mounted housing, an .outer vgimbal lring pivotall-y y'mounted within --the housing, fan inner., rotor-supporting gimbal ringzpivota1'1y3mounted withinthe outer :gimbal ring, ;a velocity jet nozzle supported .on the `housing anda balilemdunted onathe outer vring in cuntrolling k:relation to :the discharge irom such nozzle, :a second velocity iet ynozzle supported on the outer ring vand a bame mounted on the inner :ring :controlli-ng :relation .to Vthe discharge from ksuch `second fnozzle, Vsmanually controlled means for rotating the housing about its pivot axis'to veffect relative adjustment '.:between the said secin said inner gimba'l ring, -rotor-impelling :noz-

zles providedby said-inner-.gimba-l ring, a velocity .jetmozzlefcarriedfby said outergi-mbal ring in a -positionto .discharge coaxial A.with the axis rof the outer g-irnbal ring, an .air--actuated, control` device adapted to receive air from said velocity jet nozzle, means Vrendered eiective @by Vthe relative movementf between 'sa-id -g-imbal rings to vary the volume of .air transmit-ted .tosaid control device, v.and single means to induce '.a flow of airthrough said rotor-impelling nozzles to spin said rotor and through said lvelocity jet nozzle to actuate said Acontrol device.

20. vAgy-roscopic controller comprising .a housing, :an outergimbalring,pivotally mounted therein, an vinner gimba-l ring :Divo-tally mounted in 'said outer-,gimbalring on :an aXi-s normal to the pivotal axis -ofsaid outer -gimbal ring, a rotor `journaled in said inner gim-bal ring, rotor-impelling nozzles provided by said inner gimbal ring, a4 control fdc-vice carried vby said housing .and ,including -a'velocity-jetfnozzle and a switch device-adapted to beactuated by airtherefrom, means toevacuatesaid housing, and air inlet `ducts connected to said rotor-fimpelling Anozzles -andto said .velocity j-et nozzle whereby the air ,flo-wing through saidffnozzlesf-intosaid housing re- `spectively spins said rotor and actuates said control device.

21. A gyroscopic controller comprising a housing, an outer gimbal ring l pivotally mounted therein, an inner gimbal ring pivotally mounted i in said outer gimbal ring on an axis normal to -the pivotal axis of said outer gimbal ring, a rotor journaled in said inner gimbal ring, rotor-impelling nozzles provided by said inner gimbal ring, a pair of air-actuated control devices associated with said housing, a velocity jet nozzle associated with each of said control devices and each adapted to direct a stream of air into contact with one of said control devices, one of said velocity jet nozzles being positioned to discharge coaxial with the axis of said outer gimbal ring, baille means rendered effective by the relative movement between said gimbal rings to vary the volume'of air transmitted to one control device, baf- ,e means rendered effective by the relative movement between said outer gimbal ring and said housing to vary the volume of air transmitted to the other control device, and single means to induce a flow of air through all of said nozzles.

22. In a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mounted in an outer pivoted gimbal ring; the improvement which consists in the provision of means for detecting relative movement of said gimbal rings and comprising, a nozzle carried by the outer gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially with the pivot axis of such outer ring, means to induce a jet of air through said nozzle, a control diaphragm arranged for peration by and biased in opposition to said air jet, and a baille mounted on the inner gimbal ring and located to variably intercept the said air jet in response to relative movement of the gimbal rings.

23. In a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner gmbal ring itself pivotally mounted in an outer, pivotal gimbal ring; the improvement which consists in the provision of means for detecting relative movement of said gimbal rings and comprising, a single nozzle carried by the outer gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially with the pivot axis of such outer ring, means to induce a jet of air through said nozzle, a control circuit,

switch means therefor adapted for operation by said air jet, and a baille mounted on the inner gimbal ring and located to variably interceptl .the said air jet in response to relative movement of the gimbal rings.

24. In a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mountedin an outer, pivotal gimbal ring; the improvement which consists in the provision of means for detecting relative movement of said gimbal rings and comprising. a nozzle carried by the outer gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially withv the pivot axis of such outer ring, suction means vadapted to induce a jet of air through 'said nozzle, a control diaphragm having a chamber on each side thereof, one of said chambers having a connection to said suction means, and the other chamber having a port subject to said suction means and also located coaxially with the jet, and a baille mounted on the inner gimbal ring and located to variably" bal ring; the improvement which consists in the 'provision of means for detecting relative movement .of said gimbal rings and comprising, a nozzle carried by the outer gimbal ring and arranged to discharge coaxially with the pivot axis of such outer ring, suction means adapted t0 induce a jet of air through said nozzle, a diaphragm having a chamber in each side thereof, one of said chambers having a connection to said suction means, and the other chamber having a, port subject 4to said suction means and also located coaxially with the jet, a baille mounted on the inner gimbal ring and located to variably intercept the jet flow to said port in response to relative movement of the gimbal rings, and circuit control means adapted for operation by said diaphragm.

26. .In a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted'to rotate in an inner gimbal ring itself pivotally mounted in an outer gimbal ring in turnpivotally mounted in a frame; the improvement consisting in the provision of means for detecting relative movement between the elements of any selected pair of elements including said frame and' said gimbal rings, said means comprising, a single nozzle carried by one element of a selected pair of said elements, means to induce a jet of air through said nozzle, a control 'diaphragm arranged for operation by and biased in opposition to said air jet, and a baiile mounted on the other element of said selected pair of elements and located to variably intercept the said air jet in response to relative movement between the elements of said selected pair. 27. In a gyroscopic controller having a Vgyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner gimbal ring 1 itself pivotally mounted in an outer gimbal ring in turn pivotally mounted in a frame; the improvement consisting in the provision of means forY detecting relative movement between said outer gimbal ring andv said frame and comprising, a single nozzle carried by said frame, means to induce a jet of air through said nozzle, a control diaphragm arranged for operation by and Ybiased in opposition to said air jet, and a baille comprising a single velocity jet nozzle supported on the frame, a baiiie mounted on the outer ring Vin controlling relation to the discharge from such nozzle, means to induce a jet of air through said nozzle, a control diaphragm arranged for operation by and biased infopposition to said air jet, and means for shifting said nozzle relative to said baffle.

29. In a gyroscopic controller having a gyro rotor mounted to rotate in an inner glmbal ring itself pivotally mounted in an outer gimbal ring in turn pivotally mounted in a frame, the irnprovement consisting in the provision of means for detecting relative movement between the elements of any selected pair of elements including said frame and said gimbal rings, said means comprising, a single nozzle carried by one element of a selected pair of said elements, suction means adapted to induce a jet of air through said nozzle, a diaphragm arranged for operation by and biased in opposition to said air jet, said diaphragm having a chamber on each side thereof, REFERENCES CITED one of said chambers having a connection to said The fOllOWng referenCeS are 0f TGCOM in the suction means, and the other chamber having a file 0f this Patenti port subject to said suction means and also lo- 5 cated coaxially with the jet, and a baffle mounted UNITED S LATES PATENTS on the other element of said selected pair of ele- Number Name Date ments and located to variably intercept the jet 1,992,970 Sperry et a1 Mar. 5, 1935 flow to said port in response to relative move- 2,011,453 Moller Aug. 13, 1935 ment between the elements of said selected pair 10 1,757,096 Sperry May 6, 1930 of elements. 2,359,168 Somes et a1 Sept. 26, 1944 EDGAR P. TURNER. 2,144,614 Carlson Jan. 24, 1939 

